As whisky lovers, we’re spoilt for choice. Established distillers continue to hone their goods with an increasing awareness that the industry is changing – a mass of engaged, demanding drinkers thirst for the most compelling spirits, and producers are working harder than ever to keep our attention. New distilleries are springing up left, right and centre, injecting even more of a buzz into proceedings. What a time to be alive.

The traditional Scotch and Irish producers (there’s much deliberation over where the birthplace of whisk(e)y lies – best approached over a dram or two) have long had a stronghold over our drinking habits. But this is changing – and quickly. The upswell of new distilleries is not confined to either country, and right across Europe new and familiar names are creating incredible whiskies – or soon-to-be whiskies – and shaking up expectations in the process.

Mackmyra opened their first distillery back in 1999 and have since gained a reputation for producing some top malts. In 2012 they opened a second site, a gravity-run facility that stands at 37 metres high! This is where all of their distillation now takes place, save for the odd special run.

It’s Day 6 already! How time flies when you’re having fun! That said, time is irrelevant to omniscient supernatural beings such as myself. I’ve seen the fall of empires and…

It’s Day 6 already! How time flies when you’re having fun! That said, time is irrelevant to omniscient supernatural beings such as myself. I’ve seen the fall of empires and the birth of new stars in the sky…

Speaking of stars, behind the sixth window of your Whisky Advent Calendars, you’ll find a dram of Swedish single malt from the Spirit of Hven distillery, named after Merak, a star in the Ursa Major constellation. It’s the second release in their spectacular ‘Seven Stars’ series of whiskies. It’s just the ticket if you’re keen for a winter warmer, which you may be looking for if you visit the tiny craft distillery on the island of Hven in the Öresund strait at this time of year!

Rolling on with our recent trend of bringing new brands to the UK market (and beyond), we are pleased to introduce you to the Spirits of Hven. A Swedish whisky…

Rolling on with our recent trend of bringing new brands to the UK market (and beyond), we are pleased to introduce you to the Spirits of Hven. A Swedish whisky distillery which produces gin and vodka in a most nontraditional way (most gin does not take 2 years to produce), Hven is located on a tiny island that was home to astronomer Tycho Brahe in the 16th Century.

When I imagined the journey to an island off the coast of Sweden in early March, I pictured snow, ice, and travelling in a boat exactly like like the one below.

The @DiablesseRums have landed at MoM Towers! Based in Manchester but inspired by Caribbean flavour profiles, the range features two expressions - Diablesse Caribbean Rum and Diablesse Clementine Spiced Rum.